Aww…some Monday

Colors of the Farmers Market

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Sunday, June 11 was National Children’s Day. The challenge this week at 4M, pick songs about children or by artists under 18. Children are a special blessing from God. Parents have a responsibility to provide for, protect, and give their children the proper instructions in life that will produce responsible adults. The honest truth is that this mission is best accomplished when there is a loving father and mother in the home that will use the instruction book for life (the Bible) as their resource for growing a happy and healthy family unit. Have a blessed week.

That was a fun tribute to the energy and passion of youth, but as the father of a daughter and grandfather to three grand daughters, I can tell you there is a reason they call them “Daddy’s Little Girls”. They will steal your heart, break your heart and heal your heart. Little girls are a special gift and responsibility to fathers. Scripture teaches us to train our children in the way that they should go. Fathers are to provide for the needs of their family and protect their family from harm. That harm can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual and it is Dad’s job to keep harm from the doorstep of his children. It is an impossible task because life can throw more arrows at us than we can deter, but a faith in the Giver of life can provide a joy that passes the understanding of most people and get us through the days when harm seems to be around every corner. The joy that we find in Christ must be passed on to our children. We find that true joy rests in faith in Christ. This secular world will tell us that peace, happiness, and joy can only be found in money. Our world is driven by money because money buys power, toys, and everything that we desire, but money cannot buy joy and happiness. Some of the most miserable and unhappy people I have met are people with a lot of money. Money may buy happiness for a few moments, days, or weeks but at the end of the day joy has escaped and the pursuit of it continues. For the Christ follower, everything is temporary this side of heaven and the true joy comes from the One who created us, has a plan for our lives, and desires to give us eternal joy. On this earth my family gives me a great deal of joy, but eternal joy belongs to me through the Creator. Have a blessed week.

Daughter and two grand daughters

Wife & Daughter

Aww…some Monday

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Some gave the last full measure of devotion.

Like a lot of veterans, as I grow older I grow a little fonder of my military service. It’s not that I enjoyed my time in the military so much as I appreciate how it shaped my life and how much respect I have those who serve. I was drafted into the Army in 1966, during the height of the Vietnam war. After basic training at Ft. Bliss, TX and radio school at Ft. Huachuca, AZ and Ft. Gordon, GA I was deployed to Southeast Asia. When I came home from Vietnam, in May 1968, I was honorably discharged and sent home to resume my civilian life.

I was one of the fortunate ones. I didn’t see that much combat. I didn’t come home with PTSD or any other mental disorder. I didn’t face much in the way of protests and anti-war sentiment from people I came in contact with. Maybe it’s because I came home to Oklahoma and it was not a hotbed of political unrest. I did come home more mature but maybe not more focused on my calling in life. That didn’t occur until I met my wife.

The important thing is, I did come home. The opening photo is from the traveling exhibit of the Vietnam memorial wall. It contains the names of 58,281 service personnel who did not come home alive. They gave their last full measure of devotion to a cause that they may or may not have supported or understood. They sacrificed their future in the name of freedom that they would not enjoy. A soldier does not pick the adversary, the location nor the battle in which he/she is engaged. The soldier answers the call of his/her government and serves wherever needed. This country produces the finest fighting force in world and it is populated by the best young men and women on the planet. Thank you to the families of my 58,281 brothers and sisters in arms that laid down their lives in Southeast Aisa. Welcome home to those who, like me, were fortunate enough to enjoy life after service. Ameria, you’re welcome.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week is Memorial Day songs remembering those in general or a specific person who served, pick songs you think that person might have enjoyed or songs that make you think of a your fallen hero. I give you popular songs when my brothers-in-arms served.

Ozark Dogwoods

Aww Monday

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week at 4M is freedom of choice week and I have been listening to some Justin Johnson. Justin is a guitar player extraordinaire! His genre of choice is mostly Delta Blues and his instrument of choice is the Resonator Slide Guitar. He can play any guitar and I will feature a variety of his work. He is also a finger style player. Enjoy.

Check this guy out. You won’t be disappointed. Have a blessed week!

Mother’s Day 2023

Our Daughter with two of the three grand daughters.

My Wife and Daughter

Aww…some Monday’s

Above is an image of parents and grandparents forming a lane for the kids to run through before their soccer match. Our grand daughter and her husband are adopting a boy, so that will make us great-grandparents, but that’s another story. Last week I promised one of the commenters a tip for better sports photos. Below is the original image.

You will notice that the horizon (defined by the food truck) is crooked, there is negative space to the left and way too much empty space above the people. Go to your editing software and straighten the horizon. Next crop the image to eliminate boring space or distractions. Finally, sharpen the image and adjust the exposure if necessary. All three things have been done to the top image. Here is another example.

This is the image straight out of the camera. Again, there is too much boring space, too many distractions, and maybe a little too much blue. So let’s make some magic.

I cropped the image, sharpened the image and converted it to black & white for a little drama. Now all attention is on the subject. It’s really not that hard. Just spend a few minutes enhancing the photo before you post it. Have a blessed week.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The challenge at 4M this week is to build a playlist of single word song titles, single name bands, or single name artists. Here ya go.

First up, with a one word song title, is Sir Elton John with one of his early hits, Levon.

Next on the list is the legendary band with only one member still living. Cream members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker are gone and only Eric Clapton remains. The song, White Room.

Finally an artist that is identified by a single name is Jewel, the song is “You Were Meant For Me.”